Shirley McCarson Cherrix

Shirley McCarson Cherrix, 89, of Etowah, passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.  She was born February 1, 1935.  She was the daughter of the late Tavie J. McCarson and Rosa Bryant McCarson.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, Steve M. Souther, her siblings, Jack, Roy, JA, Doris, and Kenneth McCarson, and her husband, Richard Cherrix.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Gale S. Barnett and husband, Johnny, who she lived with and were her caregivers for many years.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bryant Barnett, Brooke Barnett, TJ Souther (Hannah), and Sarah Bond (Kell), as well as her great grandchildren, Alina Bond, Cooper Bond, Luke Bond, Levi Bond, and Savannah Souther, and daughter in law, Linda A. Souther.  She had many special friends including Alva Owensby, Janet Henry, Sheila McCall, a very dear friend, John Winstead of Charlotte, and former neighbor and friend Jim Vance, who was a faithful visitor and brought her scratch off tickets each week.

She raised her children to be as strong and independent as she was, and was their sole provider throughout their teenage years.  She taught her children to lead with dignity and grace and made sure they learned never to be boastful and always to be grateful for what they had.  The most important lesson that she taught them was to be accepting of everyone.

Our “Mimi” or “Grandma Shirley,” as she was called, was very proud of her grandchildren, and they all adored her.  Her home was open to everyone, she was likely cooking something, and there was always laughter.  Their friends still ask for the recipe for “Mimi’s Mac n’ Cheese”.

Shirley worked over the years for First Union National Bank, Duke Power Company, Pardee Hospital, and later in life her favorite job was caretaking for elderly patients.  She became like family to those she cared for.

The family would like to thank her special nurses and doctors from Four Seasons Hospice Home Care.  They stood with us for close to two years.  In her final days, the staff at Four Seasons Hospice Elizabeth House went above and beyond to make Shirley comfortable and made sure she and her family were loved and cared for as well.  We are deeply appreciative of each and every one of them for their help and support during Shirley’s illness.  They are truly angels and became family.  We have made lifelong friends with many of them and they will forever remain in our hearts.  We will forever be grateful and hold these many dedicated doctors, nurses, CNA’s, Chaplains, Social Workers, and Housekeepers who paid close attention to every detail, and always made us know we mattered.  Thank you doesn’t begin to express our gratitude.

At Shirley’s request there will be no services.  Her request was only a big party for family and friends to celebrate her.  There will be a private Celebration of Life at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Four Seasons Hospice: 571 S. Allen Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

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